University of Queensland says it would consider Ramsay Centre course

By Kylar Loussikian & Jordan Baker

The Ramsay Centre could operate its controversial Western civilisation program at the University of Queensland, with the prestigious institution indicating it was open to the offer.

Sydney University is already in negotiations with the Ramsay Centre, undertaking high-stakes discussions with its faculty, some of whom are concerned about whether accepting money from the foundation would mean a loss of academic autonomy for humanities degrees.

The University of Queensland could consider hosting the Ramsay Centre's Western civilisation program on its campus.Credit:Glen Hunt

The Ramsay Centre has confirmed it is in talks with at least one other Group of Eight member, a network of the country's most prestigious universities, to host the courses.

A University of Queensland spokeswoman told Fairfax Media the institution was "open to considering opportunities to partner with external agencies, providing the terms of such a partnership are consistent with [the university's] principles of institutional autonomy and academic freedom".

"It is important for [the university] to have a good understanding of funding opportunities for all our disciplines; it is also well known that funding for teaching and research in the humanities is particularly scarce," she said.

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The University of Queensland is considered a likely partner for the Ramsay Centre's program by management at other universities, Fairfax Media understands.

However, the university confirmed it had not received "a formal invitation" from Ramsay or submitted an expression of interest in obtaining the funding.

Sydney University earlier this week circulated a commercial-in-confidence memorandum which is understood would give the arts faculty full control over the curriculum, sole responsibility for staffing and teaching, and require 12 years of guaranteed funding.

One Ramsay Centre academic would be allowed on to the appointment panel, likely chief executive Simon Haines, a distinguished professor who was previously the chair of English at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

A spokesman for the Ramsay Centre said it was "considering various proposals from a number of universities".

Negotiations for a Western civilisation program at the Australian National University broke down earlier this year, after its vice-chancellor, Brian Schmidt, said there were not enough assurances given on academic freedom.

Simon Haines, the director of the Ramsay Centre, is hopeful of launching the Western civilisation course at a number of universities.Credit:AAP

That followed the publication in conservative magazine Quadrant of an article by former prime minister Tony Abbott who wrote the course would be "not merely about Western civilisation but in favour of it".

Mr Abbott also wrote the course would have "a management committee including the Ramsay (chief executive) and also its academic director will make staffing and curriculum decisions".

Professor Haines has since told Fairfax Media that the degree "is not meant to create a bunch of students that are triumphalist about how wonderful the West is ... it's intended to give them a chance to read these wonderful books".